2:20pm: Reilly has been traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2019 fifth-round pick.
12:40pm: The Minnesota Wild don’t have a ton of financial flexibility for the trade deadline, but moving a body out could give them a bit more. That body might be Mike Reilly, who according to Michael Russo of The Athletic has already generated a “couple offers.” One of those teams is the Buffalo Sabres, who are looking for any upgrades on the back end as they struggle through another disappointing season.
Reilly looked like a key part of the Wild defense corps, but with the emergence of Nick Seeler in the last few weeks might have made him expendable. The team needs to free up some cash for a potential signing of Jordan Greenway and recall of Luke Kunin down the stretch, but would be weakening their NHL group by moving Reilly at this point. While that might be possible, it is still risky.
It’s not surprising that several teams would have interest in the 24-year old defenseman, who comes with another year at a reasonable $725K cap hit before becoming a restricted free agent. In 84 career NHL games, Reilly has 18 points but is a mobile versatile defenseman that could provide decent depth for any playoff team, or a potential growth option for a rebuilding squad.
first Chris Stewart and now Mikey Riley. The wild are in third place and are selling? I have not heard any rumors about guys they want to go get.
If they trade Reilly it won’t be because they are selling. They won’t trade him unless they get another D in return of better value.
If they are receiving offers for Reilly I don’t think someone is going to look to package a better D man in return for him.
Sounds like a 5th round pick was a sell
The Wild dumped Stewart and Reilly because they were healthy scratches the majority of the time recently, not because they’re selling. The team got rid of some spare parts so they’d have cap space to call up guys from the AHL as necessary and to sign prospect Jordan Greenway. There’s nothing wrong with these moves.
The NHL cap situation is a joke.
I’m iffy on this trade. Would have much rather have seen Valiev and Brett Lernout get some NHL time down the stretch. But I guess Reilly has some untapped potential and comes with little commitment.